Syringe adapter for medication

ABSTRACT

Improved apparatus for use with medication in fluid form, which is particularly beneficial for medications having a relatively high viscosity. The disclosed syringe adapter has an opening that is relatively large, as compared to a conventional needle, and thus affixing the disclosed syringe adapter to a syringe improves syringeability of higher-viscosity medications. When the disclosed syringe adapter is affixed to a pistol-grip or tab-handled syringe, the medication withdrawn into the pistol-grip syringe can be more easily administered from the syringe barrel. In some embodiments, the syringe adapter will be replaced with a needle prior to injecting the medication, while in some other embodiments, the needle is affixed to the in-place syringe adapter for the injection.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to improved apparatus for use withmedication, and method(s) of using same, particularly forhigher-viscosity medication.

Medication is needed for various purposes, including illness treatmentand illness prevention.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to improved apparatus for use withmedication, and method(s) of using same, and is particularly useful formedication having a relatively high viscosity. In one aspect, a syringeadapter for withdrawing fluid medication from a container comprises asidewall extending between a proximal end and a distal end, the sidewallhaving an interior surface defining a chamber, the proximal endconfigured to be connected to a syringe while withdrawing at least aportion of the fluid medication from the container through the chamberand into a barrel of the syringe and the distal end configured forinserting into the container for the withdrawal, wherein an opening atthe distal end is relatively large in diameter to facilitate withdrawingfluid medication having a relatively high viscosity and the syringeadapter is configured to be removed from the syringe and replaced with aneedle prior to subsequently injecting (for example, into an animal) thefluid medication (or at least some portion thereof) withdrawn into thebarrel. The relatively large opening is directed toward improvedsyringeability of the fluid medication. The viscosity of the fluidmedication is preferably greater than or equal to 50 centipoise unitswhen a temperature of the fluid medication is at least 5 degreesCelsius.

The syringe is preferably configured as a pistol-grip syringe or atab-handled syringe, and may therefore provide improved leverage for thesubsequent injection. In an embodiment, the diameter of the opening atthe distal end is approximately 0.10 inches and the sidewall isapproximately 0.05 inches in thickness at the distal end. Optionally,the syringe adapter further comprises a flanged area that extendsperpendicularly from the proximal end. Optionally, the syringe adaptermay further comprise a radial extension member that extendsperpendicularly and radially outward from an exterior surface of thesyringe adapter. In an embodiment, an outer shape of the syringe adapteris generally conical in a first portion and generally cylindrical in asecond portion. In an embodiment, an inner shape of the syringe adapter,for at least a portion of the proximal end, is generally conical. In anembodiment, the inner shape of the syringe adapter tapers from theproximal end toward the distal end, for at least a portion of theproximal end, at approximately 6 percent. The syringe adapter preferablyconnects to the syringe using a Luer-type connection, the Luer-typeconnection selected from the group consisting of a Luer-type lock and aLuer-type slip.

In another aspect, a method of administering fluid medication (forexample, to an animal) comprises: affixing a syringe adapter to asyringe, the syringe adapter comprising a sidewall extending between aproximal end and a distal end, the sidewall having an interior surfacedefining a chamber, the proximal end configured to be connected to adistal end of the syringe; inserting the distal end of the syringeadapter into a container of fluid medication having a relatively highviscosity; withdrawing, from the container, at least a portion of thefluid medication through the chamber and into a barrel of the syringe,wherein an opening at the distal end of the syringe adapter isrelatively large in diameter to facilitate withdrawing therelatively-high-viscosity medication; removing the syringe adapter fromthe syringe subsequent to the withdrawing; affixing a needle to thedistal end of the syringe, subsequent to the removing; and injecting(for example, into an animal) the fluid medication (or at least someportion thereof) previously withdrawn into the barrel.

In yet another aspect, the syringe adapter is configured for receiving aneedle at its distal end, such that the needle is affixed to the distalend of the syringe adapter subsequent to withdrawing fluid medicationinto the barrel of the syringe, and the syringe adapter is configured toremain in place while injecting the fluid medication (or at least someportion thereof) into a recipient with the needle. In this aspect,administering the fluid medication may be repeated (for example, foranother recipient) by removing the needle, using the in-place syringeadapter for withdrawing more fluid medication (from the same or adifferent container), re-affixing the needle to the syringe adapter, andthen injecting this medication (or some portion thereof). In thisaspect, the distal end of the syringe adapter preferably provides for aLuer-type connection with the needle, and the proximal end of thesyringe adapter is preferably configured with a Luer-type locking memberfor connecting to the syringe. The syringe adapter may further comprisean extension member that extends perpendicularly outward from anexterior surface of the syringe adapter.

In still another aspect, a method of administering fluid medicationcomprises: affixing a syringe adapter to a syringe, the syringe adaptercomprising a sidewall extending between a proximal end and a distal endand having an interior surface defining a chamber, the proximal endconfigured to be connected to a distal end of the syringe; inserting thedistal end of the syringe adapter into a container of fluid medicationhaving a relatively high viscosity; withdrawing, from the container, atleast a portion of the fluid medication through the chamber and into abarrel of the syringe, wherein an opening at the distal end of thesyringe adapter is relatively large in diameter to facilitatewithdrawing the relatively-high-viscosity medication; affixing a needleto the distal end of the syringe adapter, subsequent to the withdrawingfrom the container; and injecting, into a recipient with the needle, atleast a portion of the fluid medication previously withdrawn into thebarrel.

In a further aspect, a system for administering higher-viscosity fluidmedication comprises: a syringe; a syringe adapter comprising a sidewallextending between a proximal end and a distal end, the sidewall havingan interior surface defining a chamber, the proximal end configured tobe connected to the syringe while withdrawing at least a portion of thefluid medication from a container through the chamber and into a barrelof the syringe and the distal end configured for inserting into thecontainer for the withdrawal, wherein an opening at the distal end isrelatively large in diameter to facilitate withdrawing thehigher-viscosity fluid medication from the container; and a needle, theneedle configured for connecting to the syringe adapter subsequent touse of the syringe adapter for the withdrawing and while the syringeadapter remains connected to the syringe, the needle further configuredfor injecting, into a recipient, at least a portion of the fluidmedication withdrawn into the barrel.

Various embodiments of these and other aspects of the present inventionmay be provided in view of the present disclosure. It should be notedthat the foregoing is a summary and thus contains, by necessity,simplifications, generalizations, and omissions of detail; consequently,those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the summary isillustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Otheraspects, inventive features, and advantages of the present invention, asdefined by the appended claims, will become apparent in the non-limitingdetailed description set forth below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described with reference to the followingdrawings, in which like reference numbers denote the same elementthroughout.

FIGS. 1-3 depict examples of prior art syringes;

FIG. 4 depicts an example of a prior art needle;

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate bottom views showing how a proximal end of aneedle may be configured for securable attachment to a syringe;

FIGS. 5-6 illustrate first and second preferred embodiments of thesyringe adapter disclosed herein;

FIGS. 7-8 illustrate alternative embodiments of the syringe adapterdisclosed herein;

FIG. 9 illustrates a still further embodiment of the syringe adapterdisclosed herein;

FIG. 10 illustrates a syringe adapter placed upon a syringe, and FIG. 11illustrates a needle placed upon a syringe adapter;

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate yet other embodiments of the syringe adapterdisclosed herein, and also illustrate placement thereof upon a syringe;

FIG. 14 (comprising FIGS. 14A-14C) illustrates a further embodiment ofthe disclosed syringe adapter, showing an exterior view as well ascross-sectional views of placement thereof upon a syringe and asexploded; and

FIG. 15 presents tables containing measurements from tests conducted tocompare use of a sample version of the disclosed syringe adapter to useof conventional needles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As noted earlier, medication is needed for various purposes, includingillness treatment and illness prevention. Discussions are presentedherein with reference to medication used for animals, primarily in termsof livestock animals; this is by way of illustration and not oflimitation, however, and it should be noted that the disclosed syringeadapter may be beneficial with medication used for all types of animallife, including humans.

Treatment of animals using medication may be desired whether the animalis a family pet, part of a livestock operation, is the subject ofresearch, and so forth. Examples of medicating animals for illnesstreatment will be obvious, and may span a wide variety of illnesses. Oneexample of medicating an animal for illness prevention is a proactivevaccination; another example is to proactively administer an antibiotic.In a commercial livestock operation, animals may be proactivelymedicated before they are introduced into another group of livestock,for example to guard against introducing an illness that they may carryor simply to ensure that all animals in the group have received anidentical medication regimen. Medication might also be administered inanticipation of, or in response to, a change in weather conditions or achange in geographical location for an animal (such as moving from oneclimate to another). Hereinafter, animal medications are discussedwithout differentiation of the purpose for such medication.

Medication may be found in various forms, including solid and fluid.Solid substances may be ingestible, for example, while fluids may beinjectable or may be administered orally or nasally. Embodiments of thepresent invention are directed toward improved apparatus for use withmedication in fluid form, and the scope of the present invention alsoincludes method(s) for using such apparatus.

Medications provided in fluid form may vary widely in their viscosity,depending upon their chemical formulation. Viscosity is sometimesdefined as the resistance of a substance to flow. The viscosity of wateris relatively low, for example, while the viscosity of honey isrelatively high. The viscosity of some substances can be changed byapplying heat; for example, melting butter increases its ability toflow. Some fluid medications may have a viscosity that is relatively lowand is similar to that of water, for example, and thus will flow quiteeasily. Other fluid medications are known that have a viscosity that ismarkedly different from water.

Fluid medications intended for use with animals are commonly marketed inmulti-dose packaging, such as bottles that hold enough fluid foradministering several doses. A bottle of medication might hold 500milliliters, for example (equivalently, 500 cubic centimeters), which isroughly equivalent to 16.9 ounces. The bottle might be made of glass orplastic, and a container having a configuration other than a bottlemight be used. Hereinafter, the term “bottle” is used for ease ofreference, and by way of illustration and not of limitation, as acontainer type in which medication may be contained.

One reason for marketing animal medication in multi-dose bottles iseconomic. The cost of the medication may be reduced, for example, byselling a larger quantity container and thereby reducing the relativecost of the packaging. Another reason for marketing animal medication inmulti-dose bottles is that the dosage of many (if not all) medicationsis prescribed with regard to the animal's body weight. Accordingly, thecorrect amount of medication to use on a particular animal can becalculated and then withdrawn from the multi-dose bottle, after which itmay be injected into the animal, and the remaining medication is thenavailable for subsequent use.

A multi-dose bottle of fluid medication is typically marketed with arubber membrane covering at least a portion of an opening at the top ofthe bottle. Conventionally, the fluid medication is withdrawn from suchbottle by placing a needle onto the tip of a syringe, inserting a tip ofthe needle into the rubber membrane, and withdrawing a plunger of thesyringe until an appropriate amount of fluid is pulled into the syringebody (referred to herein as the syringe “barrel”); this same needle isthen used for injecting the medication from the syringe into the animal.FIG. 1 shows an example of a prior art syringe 100, and illustrates howthe hollow barrel 130 of syringe 100 is commonly marked with fill lines110 that are provided for measuring the amount of fluid containedtherein. A needle is placed over (or inside) the tip 140, and fluidenters through an opening or eye of the needle and into the syringebarrel 130. The syringe includes a retractable plunger, a terminal endof which is shown at 120. (As will be obvious, as fluid medication iswithdrawn from the bottle into the barrel 130, the plunger 120 movablyextends outward from the proximal end of the syringe 100, although thisis not illustrated in FIG. 1.) Commonly, a syringe as illustrated inFIG. 1 is constructed of plastic, making it relatively cheap topurchase.

A tab-shaped member 150 is also provided on syringe 100. Whenadministering the medication from the barrel 130, a person's indexfinger is placed on the tab-shaped member 150 at one side of barrel 130and the person's middle finger is placed on the tab-shaped member 150 atthe opposing side of barrel 130, and the person's thumb is then used todepress the terminal end of plunger 120 into the barrel in order toexpel the medication from the barrel.

As an alternative to the syringe 100 of FIG. 1, an example of aso-called “pistol-grip” syringe is illustrated in FIG. 2. Fluidmedication is drawn into a syringe of this type by pulling plunger 220outwardly from the barrel 230. A tab-shaped member is not provided on asyringe of this type, as compressing or squeezing the handles 210 servesto expel medication from the barrel of a syringe having a pistol-gripconfiguration.

FIG. 3 illustrates yet another prior art syringe 300, and is referred toherein as a “tab-handled” syringe. In this configuration, the syringehas a tabbed member 350 near the proximal end of barrel 330, andincludes a handle-style tabbed member 320 affixed to the terminal end ofthe plunger. The tabbed member 350 is used in a similar manner totab-shaped member 150 of FIG. 1, whereby a person places fingers on thetabbed member 350 on opposing sides of barrel 330; the person thenpresses down on tabbed member 320 using the person's palm to depress theterminal end of the plunger into the barrel in order to expel themedication from the barrel. As compared to tab-shaped member 150 andplunger end 120 of FIG. 1, the tabbed members 320, 350 of FIG. 3typically provide improved comfort for the person using the tab-handledsyringe.

The tips 240, 340 may be generally on the order of ⅜ to 7/16 inch indiameter and generally of similar height (and similarly, tip 140), andare generally constructed of metal. An interior area of this tip isintended for securably attaching a needle and is generally threaded forat least a portion thereof. A height of this threaded area is generallyon the order of ⅛ inch to ¼ inch. While not illustrated in detail ontips 240, 340 of FIGS. 2 and 3, the syringe tip also typically includesa protrusion (illustrated herein in FIG. 14C; see reference number 341)that is centered within the exterior wall of the tip and that providesthe opening through which a substance enters into the syringe barrel.(Notably, tips 140, 240, 340 are not designed for inserting through therubber membrane of a medicine bottle.)

Syringes 200, 300 are often constructed, at least in part, of metal.Glass or plastic might be used for the syringe barrel. A metal commonlyused for syringes, by way of example, is stainless steel; anotherexample is aluminum.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a prior art needle 400, which may beaffixed to the distal end of syringes 100, 200, or 300. Needles aretypically sold in standardized sizes, and thus the distal syringe ends140, 240, 340 typically conform to the standard size of the proximal endof a needle. FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate bottom views showing examples ofhow a proximal end of needle 400 may be configured for securableattachment to the distal end of a syringe that has an internal threadedportion. In an approach 410 as shown in FIG. 4A, a flanged area 420extends radially outward from the proximal end of the needle (as isgenerally illustrated in FIG. 4). Reference number 440 depicts theopening in the tip of the needle, and reference number 430 generallydepicts the sidewall of needle 400. In another approach 450 as shown inFIG. 4B, a flanged area 460 extends perpendicularly outward from theproximal end of the needle, but in this configuration, is fashioned ashaving side edges that are not generally round. Reference number 480depicts the opening in the tip of the needle, and reference number 470generally depicts the sidewall of needle 400. In either case, a flangedarea 420, 460 on the proximal end of a needle is designed to securablyattach to a corresponding receiving area on the distal end of a syringe.In yet another approach (not illustrated), the securable attachment of aneedle to a syringe tip relies on friction instead of an exteriorflanged area, whereby the proximal end of needle 400 is placed over anexterior of the distal end (e.g., tip 140 of FIG. 1) of a syringe. Theseapproaches are commonly referred to as a Luer-style lock approach and aLuer-style slip approach, respectively, as is discussed in furtherdetail below. (Note that if flanged area 420 is configured to extendperpendicularly outward as illustrated in FIG. 4A, it is preferablyintended for use in a Luer-type slip connection rather than a Luer-typelock connection, due to the so-called “double start” or double helixconfiguration that is described for the internal threads of a Luer-typelock hub according to International Standard ISO 594-2:1998(E), which isdiscussed in further detail below. As an alternative, tabs may be addedto the outer edge of flanged area 420, where these tabs are configuredfor engaging the internal threads of the Luer-type lock hub.)

For withdrawing fluid medication from a bottle into the barrel ofsyringe 100, 200, or 300 using known techniques, the sharp tip at thedistal end of the needle 400 is inserted through the rubber membrane ofthe bottle. For subsequently administering the fluid medication from thebarrel of the syringe, the sharp tip of that same needle is insertedinto an animal's body, and the person holds tab-shaped member 150 whilesimultaneously depressing plunger 120 of syringe 100, squeezes thehandles 210 of pistol-grip syringe 200, or holds tabbed member 350 whilesimultaneously depressing handle-style tabbed member 320 of tab-handledsyringe 300.

This known approach of withdrawing fluid medication from a bottle usinga needle and then administering the medication using the same needleworks well for fluids having a low viscosity. (Consider, by way ofreference, the relative ease of drawing a low-viscosity fluid such aswater through the tip/opening of a needle 400 affixed to a syringe.)However, animal medications are marketed that have a relatively highviscosity (that is, they are relatively thick in consistency), and thishigher viscosity makes the medications very difficult to withdraw from abottle using a needle, and also typically more difficult to expel fromthe syringe. Stated another way, such higher-viscosity medications arenot readily “syringeable”.

When a medication is not readily syringeable, it may take a considerableamount of time for the person tasked with withdrawing the medicationfrom the bottle to withdraw even a small amount of medication. When alarge amount of such medication must be administered, and/or when thehigher-viscosity medication must be administered to multiple animals,the person may experience frustration or even fatigue due to this longwithdrawal time. As a result, use of the higher-viscosity medication byanimal care-givers may be diminished, which may lead to the medicationfailing to reach its potential market share. Thinning the medication isundesirable as an answer to improving the syringeability problem, as theeffectiveness of the medication could be altered.

In addition to the above-described issues with withdrawinghigher-viscosity medication into a syringe, the higher viscosity of themedication makes the injection process more time-consuming andphysically more difficult for the person tasked with medicating theanimal. In particular, the general configuration of a plastic syringe asillustrated in FIG. 1 does not enable a person using the syringe to havesufficient leverage when attempting to inject the medication into ananimal. Tab-shaped member 150 is known to collapse or break in someinstances, due to the physical force that must be exerted whiledepressing plunger 120. The plunger shaft is also known to break in someinstances, for example due to misalignment as it moves within the barrelor due to age-related brittleness. Additionally, the syringe tip ofplastic syringes are known to break off while medicating an animal (forexample, due to the animal moving or thrashing about), which can lead towaste of medication in the syringe. These problems are more likely tooccur with the increased physical force required for injectinghigher-viscosity medications.

In sharp contrast to use of a plastic syringe, the syringes 200, 300 ofFIGS. 2-3 are better adapted for withstanding the physical forcerequired for expelling a higher-viscosity medication from the syringebarrel and for allowing the person using the syringe to have betterleverage during the injection process. (Because the leverage isimproved, the time required to complete the injection may be shortenedas compared to use of a plastic syringe configured as shown at 100 ofFIG. 1, which benefits the person and the animal.)

In view of the above-described issues, preferred embodiments of thepresent invention are directed toward improved syringeability ofmedications having a relatively high viscosity. (The disclosed syringeadapter may function suitably with lower-viscosity medications as well,and is therefore not deemed to be limited to use with particularmedications.)

A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a new tip thatoperates as a syringe adapter for withdrawing medication from a bottle.This tip is preferably affixed to a pistol-grip syringe of the typeillustrated in FIG. 2 or a tab-handled syringe of the type illustratedin FIG. 3. The pistol-grip or tab-handled syringe may be formed fromplastic, metal, or other substance(s), as noted earlier. Accordingly,use of an embodiment of the present invention addresses the issue ofdrawing a higher-viscosity fluid from a bottle as well as the issue ofproviding sufficient leverage for subsequent injection. That is, thelarger opening of the disclosed syringe adapter addresses syringeabilityissues by improving draw time of higher-viscosity medications and, whenthis adapter is affixed to a pistol-grip or tab-handled syringe, themedication withdrawn into the pistol-grip or tab-handled syringe can bemore easily administered from the syringe barrel (noting that, in someembodiments, the syringe adapter will be replaced with a needle prior toinjecting the medication).

While discussions herein refer to preferably using the disclosed syringeadapter with a pistol-grip or tab-handled syringe, it should be notedthat the disclosed syringe adapter may also be used advantageously witha syringe of the type shown in FIG. 1 (and such usage is within thescope of the present invention).

FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of the syringe adapter disclosedherein. The syringe adapter has a sidewall extending between a proximalend and a distal end, and the interior surface of the sidewall defines achamber through which fluid medication flows. The length and shape ofthe syringe adapter, as well as the thickness of portions of thesidewall and the width of its interior chamber, may vary fromillustrations depicted herein without deviating from the scope of thepresent invention. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the shape ofthe syringe adapter 500 is generally conical in an upper portion andgenerally cylindrical in a lower portion. While not illustrated in FIG.5, an interior of at least a portion of the lower portion is preferablytapered, with a 6 percent taper extending from the proximal end towardthe distal end. This tapered shape conforms the interior surface toInternational Standard ISO 594-2:1998(E) and its replacement ISO80369-7:2016, which are directed toward conical fittings for health-careapplications. Preferably, the overall length of the syringe adapter isnot shorter than ⅜ to ½ inch, by way of illustration but not oflimitation, as this length will enable the syringe adapter tosufficiently extend into a bottle of medication to be withdrawn. Anupper range of the overall length, conversely, may be on the order of 1to 2 inches, by way of illustration but not of limitation.

A preferred diameter of the hole in the distal end of the tip of thesyringe adapter is on the order of 0.10 inches, although embodiments arenot limited to this diameter. Thickness of the sidewall of the syringeadapter is preferably on the order of 0.050 inches, although embodimentsare not limited to this thickness. Using a sidewall thickness of 0.050inches and an opening of 0.10 inches results in a syringe adapter havingan overall diameter of 0.20 inches at the end to be inserted into thebottle of medication, in this example configuration.

Preferably, the proximal end of the disclosed syringe adapter attachesto a syringe using a Luer-type lock or a Luer-type slip. Luer-type locksand Luer-type slips are known approaches for making leak-freeconnections on fluid fittings, and are described in the above-citedInternational Standards. A Luer-type lock provides a threadedattachment, whereby two pieces of a configuration are held together byrotating a flanged area (such as flanged area 420 of FIG. 4A whenaugmented with tabs or flanged area 460 of FIG. 4B) of one piece withinthreads of the other piece, whereas a Luer-type slip is non-threaded andprovides attachment using friction. In one approach for securablyattaching syringe adapter 500 using a Luer-type lock, the syringeadapter 500 as illustrated in FIG. 5 has an external flanged area 510 onthe proximal end (shown without tabs extending from the outer edge, fordrafting convenience), and a two-part connection is made by insertingthis flanged end into corresponding internal threads on a distal end ofa syringe (as discussed above with reference to the syringe tipsillustrated at 240, 340). As noted earlier, a conventional height forthis internal threaded portion of a pistol-grip or tab-handled syringetip is approximately ⅛ to ¼ inch in length, and accordingly, a flangedarea 510 on the proximal end of syringe adapter 500 is preferably on theorder of 1/16 to ⅛ inch in height. The shape of flanged area 510 maycorrespond generally to flanged area 420 or 460 (for example, byextending perpendicularly and radially from the proximal end of thesyringe adapter, although a strictly circular shape is not required),although another shape providing for a securable attachment may be usedwithout deviating from the scope of the present invention.

In another approach, the proximal end of the syringe adapter 500 mayomit the flanged area shown at 510 and is attached and held to thedistal end of the syringe by friction in a Luer-type slip approach.

FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of the syringe adapter disclosedherein. In this embodiment, syringe adapter 600 includes a radialextension feature 610, which is preferably configured as extendingperpendicularly and radially outward from the body of the syringeadapter and is shown in FIG. 6 as being located relatively near to theproximal end of syringe adapter 600. (Alternatively, radial extensionfeature 610 may be placed at another location on the syringe adapter,for example being located closer to the conical portion thereof.) Inaddition to enabling a person to more easily grasp the syringe adapter600, the radial extension feature 610 also serves to prevent insertingthe syringe into the medication bottle far enough that the attachmentpoint (e.g., Luer-type slip or lock) between the syringe and the syringeadapter would come into contact with the medication. Accordingly, in apreferred embodiment, a diameter of radial extension feature 610 issufficiently large as to exceed the diameter of a conventional rubbermembrane on a medicine bottle. The diameter of radial extension feature610 may be, by way of example, on the order of twice the diameter of thecylindrical portion of syringe adapter 600. (Syringe adapter 600 mayomit the flanged area 620 when relying on a Luer-type slip attachment,and is depicted without tabs extending from the outer edge for draftingconvenience, as was discussed above with reference to flanged area 510.)

An extension feature might alternatively be used that is not round,although this has not been illustrated.

A preferred material for the disclosed syringe adapter is plastic, whichwill allow it to be economically produced as a disposable item, althoughanother material may be used without deviating from the scope of thepresent invention. As one alternative to use of plastic, the syringeadapter or portion(s) thereof may be constructed from stainless steel,aluminum, or another metal (or combinations thereof), noting that metalgenerally provides increased strength and durability as compared toplastic. Notably, the disclosed syringe adapter does not need to comeinto physical contact with a particular animal (i.e., because thephysical contact occurs at the needle used to inject the medication),and thus re-use of the syringe adapter for medicating multiple animalsneed not introduce cross-contamination concerns.

While FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a syringe adapter shape that is generallyconical in an upper portion and generally cylindrical in a lowerportion, this is by way of illustration and not of limitation. As onealternative embodiment, an outer shape of the syringe adapter may begenerally cylindrical while preferably having a tapered interior shapefor at least a portion of the proximal end, noting that such interiortaper enables the syringe adapter to comply with the above-citedInternational Standards. This alternative embodiment is illustrated inFIG. 7, where dotted lines are used to illustrate a general shape of theinterior. FIG. 8 provides another alternative embodiment, where an outershape of the syringe adapter may be generally conical in an upperportion and generally cylindrical in a lower portion, and in thisalternative, the relative length of the upper and lower portions variesfrom the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 (and again, at least aportion of such configuration preferably has a tapered interior shape atthe proximal end, as shown by the dotted lines, to thereby conform tothe above-cited International Standards). Notably, as compared to thecylindrical exterior shape as illustrated in FIG. 7, the exterior taperof the upper portion as illustrated in FIGS. 5-6 and 8 may tend toprovide a better seal, and thus be less likely to leak, during such timeas the syringe adapter is inserted through the rubber membrane of abottle. While not illustrated in FIG. 7 or 8, a radial extension member(such as that shown at reference number 610 of FIG. 6) may be added tothese configurations if desired.

FIG. 9 illustrates yet another embodiment of the disclosed syringeadapter. In this embodiment, syringe adapter 900 includes a radialextension feature 910, similar to the previously-discussed radialextension feature 610 of FIG. 6. FIG. 9 depicts radial extension feature910 as being located approximately midway along the length of thesyringe adapter, by way of illustration but not of limitation. Whereasthe radial extension feature illustrated at 610 of FIG. 6 is illustratedas having a disk-like shape with generally flat upper and lowersurfaces, FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative shape where an upper surfaceof the radial extension feature 910 has a somewhat domed or taperedshape. This tapered or domed portion is shown at reference number 920and sits atop a disk-like portion 930. Optionally, the lower surface ofthe radial extension feature may taper in addition to, or instead of,the upper surface thereof, although this has not been illustrated. (Notethat the particular shape and dimensions of portions 920, 930 may vary,and thus FIG. 9 provides one example by way of illustration but not oflimitation.)

FIG. 9 also illustrates the upper portion 940 of the syringe adapter 900as having a generally conical shape which is somewhat less tapered thanthe upper portion as illustrated for the syringe adapters 500, 600 ofFIGS. 5 and 6, and having a generally cylindrical shape for the lowerportion 950.

By way of illustration but not of limitation, a length of the conicalportion 940 may be 0.32 inches; a length of the cylindrical portion 950may be 0.48 inches; a height or thickness of portion 930 may be 0.07inches; a diameter of radial extension feature 910 may be 0.75 inches; adiameter of the distal and proximal ends of conical portion 940 may be0.156 inches and 0.174 inches, respectively; and a diameter ofcylindrical portion 950 may be 0.24 inches.

FIG. 10 illustrates placement of a syringe adapter on a syringe. By wayof illustration but not of limitation, the syringe in FIG. 10corresponds to the tab-handled syringe 300 of FIG. 3 and the syringeadapter corresponds to the embodiment shown at 900 of FIG. 9. Syringetip 340′ provides a point of attachment for the syringe adapter 900, andsyringe tip 340′ is shown as being generally cylindrical; as contrastedwith syringe tip 340 as earlier illustrated, syringe tip 340′ is shownwith a ribbed exterior mid-section 345 that may provide for a person tosecurely grip the syringe tip 340′ while the syringe adapter 900 isbeing inserted therein (or removed therefrom). The connection betweensyringe tip 340′ and syringe adapter 900 is preferably a Luer-type lock,but a Luer-type slip may be used alternatively without deviating fromthe scope of the present invention. (It will be understood that in FIG.10, a portion of the proximal end of syringe adapter 900 is locatedinside the distal end of tip 340′, following the connection.)

FIG. 11 illustrates one example of placement of a needle on a syringeadapter, for an embodiment in which the syringe adapter remains in placewhile medication is administered through an attached needle. By way ofillustration but not of limitation, the syringe adapter in FIG. 11corresponds to the embodiment shown at 900 of FIG. 9, the attachmentbetween the syringe and syringe adapter 900 corresponds to theattachment illustrated in FIG. 10, and the needle corresponds to theneedle 400 of FIG. 4. In FIG. 11, needle 400 is shown as having itsproximal end placed over the distal end of the syringe adapter. In thisexample, needle 400 includes a small flanged area 420 that enables it tosecurably attach to the interior of a Luer-type lock, although theillustrated attachment in FIG. 11 is a Luer-type slip connection.Accordingly, the needle 400 may be attached to, and removed from, thesyringe adapter with relative ease (e.g., by pushing the proximal end ofthe needle onto the distal end of the syringe adapter and pulling ittherefrom, respectively). Note that while flanged area 420 is shown asdirectly abutting the portion of the syringe adapter shown as having adomed shape, this is by way of illustration: alternatively, there may bea gap beneath flanged area 420.

FIG. 12 illustrates still another embodiment of the disclosed syringeadapter, and its placement on a syringe. In this embodiment, syringeadapter 1200 includes a radial extension feature 1210 with a tapered ordomed upper surface, similar to the previously-discussed radialextension feature 910 of FIG. 9. As contrasted to syringe adapter 900,the conical portion of the syringe adapter 1200 is somewhat longer (andit should be noted that embodiments of the present invention are notlimited to a specific dimension, as has been discussed).

FIG. 12 also illustrates a Luer-type connecting member 1220 affixed tothe proximal end of syringe adapter 1200 (where 2 horizontally-oriented“ribs” are illustrated on the surface of member 1220, by way ofillustration but not of limitation). This connecting member 1220 isshown in FIG. 12 as connecting syringe adapter 1200 to a syringe, whichmay be syringe 300 of FIG. 3 (by way of illustration but not oflimitation). The point of connection on syringe 300 is shown in FIG. 12as comprising a syringe tip 340′, similar to that which was discussedabove with reference to FIG. 10 by way of illustration, into whichconnecting member 1220 of syringe adapter 1200 is removably inserted. Inone approach, connecting member 1220 is made from metal while remainingportions of syringe adapter 1200 are made from plastic, and a bond ismade between the metal and plastic during manufacturing. Preferably,connecting member 1220 attaches to syringe tip 340′ with a Luer-typelock connection (rather than a Luer-type slip connection). While notshown in FIG. 12, connecting member 1220 preferably includes a flangedarea at its proximal end (such as flanged area 460 of FIG. 4B), and theLuer-type lock connection is made by inserting connecting member 1220into syringe tip 340′ and then twisting the syringe adapter 1200 untilthe flanged area locks into place in the internal threaded portion ofthe syringe tip 340′. This type of connection is deemed beneficial forproviding a more secure attachment between the syringe and the syringeadapter.

FIG. 13 illustrates yet another embodiment of the disclosed syringeadapter and its placement on a syringe. FIG. 13 illustrates a radialextension feature 1310 with a tapered or domed upper surface, by way ofexample, similar to the previously-discussed radial extension feature1210 of FIG. 12. FIG. 13 also illustrates the upper portion of thesyringe adapter 1300 (i.e., the portion where reference number 1330generally points) as having a generally conical outer shape. In thisembodiment, syringe adapter 1300 differs from syringe adapter 1200 ofFIG. 12 in that a Luer-type connecting member 1320 affixed to theproximal end of syringe adapter 1300 uses a different configuration. Asshown in FIG. 13, connecting member 1320 has a multi-sided exteriorshape, shown by way of illustration as being hexagonal in at least aportion thereof. More particularly, in the example shown in FIG. 13,connecting member 1320 has a hexagonal upper portion 1322 and acylindrical lower portion 1321. In one approach, connecting member 1320is made from metal while remaining portions of syringe adapter 1300 aremade from plastic, and a bond is made between the metal and plasticduring manufacturing. Preferably, connecting member 1320 attaches tosyringe tip 340′ with a Luer-type lock connection (rather than aLuer-type slip connection). While not shown in FIG. 13, connectingmember 1320 preferably includes a flanged area at its proximal end (suchas flanged area 460 of FIG. 4B or 1421 of FIG. 14C), and the Luer-typelock connection is made by inserting this flanged area of connectingmember 1320 into syringe tip 340′ and then twisting the syringe adapter1300 until the flanged area locks into place in the internal threadedportion of the syringe tip 340′. As noted above, the Luer-type lockconnection is deemed beneficial for providing a more secure attachmentbetween the syringe and the syringe adapter. Reference number 1320generally denotes the proximal end of syringe adapter 1300, although asnoted above, a portion of the proximal end is located within syringe tip340′ and is therefore not visible. The proximal end opening is also notvisible in FIG. 13 because of its location within syringe tip 340′; itslocation is illustrated by the similar placement of reference number1441 in FIG. 14. Reference number 1330 generally denotes the distal endof syringe adapter 1300 while reference number 1340 denotes the locationof the opening therein. Accordingly, the chamber defined by the innersurface of the sidewall of syringe tip 1300 extends between the proximalend opening (having a similar placement as 1441 of FIG. 14) and distalend opening 1340, and its location is illustrated by the similarplacement of reference number 1450 in FIG. 14. Syringe adapter 1300preferably has an inner shape that is generally conical, for at least aportion of the proximal end, as shown in the similar configuration ofchamber 1450 of FIG. 14. The inner shape may taper from the proximal endto the distal end, for at least a portion of the proximal end, atapproximately 6 percent (as has been discussed above).

FIG. 14 illustrates a further embodiment of the disclosed syringeadapter, showing an exterior view as well as cross-sectional views ofplacement thereof upon a syringe and as exploded. By way of illustrationbut not of limitation, the syringe in FIG. 14 corresponds to thetab-handled syringe 300 of FIG. 3 with its syringe tip 340. Syringeadapter 1400, in this embodiment, includes a radial extension member1410 and the proximal end as denoted by reference number 1420 includes aLuer-type connecting member, where proximal end 1420 in turn includes aflanged area 1421 at its proximal end (such as flanged area 460 of FIG.4B) for removably attaching syringe adapter 1400 to the distal end ofsyringe 300 and an upper portion 1422. The Luer-type lock connection ismade by inserting flanged area 1421 of proximal end 1420 into syringetip 340 and then twisting the syringe adapter 1400 until the flangedarea 1421 locks into place in the internal threaded portion of thesyringe tip 340 (as illustrated in the non-exploded cross-sectional viewof FIG. 14B) to thereby provide a secure attachment between the syringeand the syringe adapter. Reference number 1430 generally denotes thedistal end of syringe adapter 1400, while reference number 1440 denotesthe location of the opening therein. Reference number 1441 denotes thelocation of the opening in proximal end 1420. Reference number 1450denotes the location of the chamber defined by the sidewall in syringeadapter 1400, the chamber extending between the proximal end opening1441 and the distal end opening 1440.

Use of the disclosed syringe adapter while medicating an animaloperates, in some embodiments, as follows: the syringe adapter isaffixed to a syringe (which, as noted earlier, is preferably apistol-grip or tab-handled syringe); the syringe adapter is insertedinto a bottle of medication; the plunger of the syringe is pulled backto withdraw the desired dosage of medication from the bottle into thesyringe barrel; the syringe adapter is removed from the bottle, whilethe plunger remains stationary; the syringe adapter is replaced with aneedle; and the medication (or some portion thereof) is then injected bypushing the plunger forward (for example, by squeezing the pistol-griphandles or pressing down on the tabbed handle) to expel medication fromthe syringe barrel. If it is desired to reuse the syringe adapter, thenthe needle is removed from the syringe, after which the above process isrepeated. (As noted earlier, the disclosed syringe adapter is notlimited to use with medication intended for any particular type ofanimal life, and therefore the medication may be injected more generallyinto a “target” or a “recipient”.)

Use of the disclosed syringe adapter operates, in some otherembodiments, as follows: the syringe adapter is affixed to a syringe(preferably a pistol-grip or tab-handled syringe); the syringe adapteris inserted into a bottle of medication; the plunger of the syringe ispulled back to withdraw the desired dosage of medication from the bottleinto the syringe barrel; the syringe adapter (which remains attached tothe syringe) is removed from the bottle, while the plunger remainsstationary; a needle is affixed to the syringe adapter (and note thatthe syringe adapter remains affixed to the syringe); and the medication(or some portion thereof) is then injected by pushing the plungerforward (for example, by squeezing the pistol-grip handles or pressingdown on the tabbed handle) to expel medication from the syringe barrel.If it is desired to reuse the syringe adapter (for example, formedicating another animal), then the needle is removed from the syringeadapter, after which the above process of withdrawing medication usingthe syringe adapter, affixing a needle thereto, and then injecting themedication (or some portion thereof) is repeated.

It should be noted that while preferred embodiments are described hereinas conforming to the above-cited International Standards and/or as usingLuer-type connections to a syringe, this is by way of illustration butnot of limitation. It should also be noted that the figures are directedtoward illustrating aspects of the present invention, in combinationwith descriptions herein, and aspects shown therein (for example,length, width, and/or taper) are not necessarily drawn to scale.

While medications have been discussed herein as commonly being sold in amulti-dose bottle, this is by way of illustration and not of limitation.The disclosed syringe adapter may be used beneficially for medicationthat is sold in a single-use dosage. Also, it should be noted that whilesome discussions herein refer to expelling “the withdrawn medication” or“emptying” the syringe, this is by way of illustration and not oflimitation: the scope of the present invention does not requirewithdrawn medication to be expelled in full nor does it require asyringe to be fully emptied.

Advantageously, the disclosed syringe adapter may be included withpurchase (e.g., within the packaging) of a higher-viscosity medication.As one alternative, a multi-pack of the disclosed syringe adapter may beincluded with such purchase, particularly when the medication is sold ina multi-dose bottle. The disclosed syringe adapter may also be soldseparately from medication.

Examples of higher-viscosity animal medications with which the disclosedsyringe adapter may be used beneficially include Nuflor®, Nuflor Gold®,and Resflor Gold®. (“Nuflor”, “Nuflor Gold”, and “Resflor Gold” areregistered trademarks of Intervet Inc. in the United States, othercountries, or both. Intervet is now known as “Merck Animal Health”.)These medications are commonly sold in 500-milliliter multi-dose bottlesand may be administered, by way of example, in dosages of 36 to 60milliliters per animal. Accordingly, a single multi-dose bottle may beused to treat generally 8 to 14 animals at this dosage range.

As noted earlier, viscosity of a substance may vary with temperature.Viscosity is commonly measured in units termed “centipoise”, which maybe abbreviated as “cP” or “cps”. Water, at 70 degrees Fahrenheit, has aviscosity of approximately 1 cps, and by way of comparison, bloodgenerally has a viscosity of about 10 cps. By convention, a temperatureof 70 degrees Fahrenheit is used as a reference point for measuring cps,and thus when a temperature is not mentioned for a particular cpsmeasurement, it should be assumed that the temperature associated withthe stated measurement is 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

According to a study documented in “Syringeability and ViscosityComparative of Different Florfenicol Formulations” by S. Colomer, etal., date unknown, the viscosity of Nuflor® at 5 degrees Celsius (whichis approximately 41 degrees Fahrenheit) was 321 cps. U.S. Pat. No.8,034,845, titled “Compositions and Method for Treating Infection inCattle and Swine”, discusses a formulation believed to correspond toNuflor Gold® and states that formulations of the invention disclosedtherein preferably “have a viscosity of less than about 125 cps”.

An embodiment of the present invention is believed to be advantageousfor fluid medications having a viscosity of at least 50 to 100 cps at atemperature of at least 5 degrees Celsius, as well as for fluidmedications having a higher cps at this temperature (noting, as statedabove, that viscosity varies with temperature).

FIG. 15 presents tables containing measurements from tests conducted tocompare use of a sample version of the disclosed syringe adapter to useof conventional needles. The tested medication was Resflor Gold®, and awithdrawn quantity thereof was 30 cc (computed as a desired volume fortreating an animal with a body weight of 500 pounds). Results of thesetests will now be discussed.

In a first test (denoted “Test #1” in FIG. 15), the medication was atroom temperature. A withdrawal rate was measured using an 18-gaugeneedle having a 1-inch length, a 16-gauge needle having a ⅝-inch length,and the syringe adapter. A 16-gauge needle has a larger tip opening thanan 18-gauge needle, and will therefore withdraw a solution faster thanthe 18-gauge, although the 16-gauge needle is thought to be disfavoredfor at least some situations because it may allow the (relativelyexpensive) medication to leak out during the medicating process. Inaddition, a 16-gauge needle is thought to be too large to use on smalleranimals. In the sample version, the diameter of the opening in thedistal end of the syringe adapter was approximately 0.094 inches.

In this first test, the bottle of medication was placed upon a table andthe syringe adapter was already mounted upon a syringe held by thetester, and the elapsed withdrawal times include picking up the bottleand inserting the syringe adapter into the bottle. As shown in FIG. 15,withdrawing 30 cc of Resflor Gold® in this test environment required 3minutes 50.30 seconds using the 18-gauge needle and 35 seconds using the16-gauge needle, as compared to 8 seconds using the syringe adapter.

Time to expel the 30 cc of medication was also tested in this firsttest. Expelling the medication in this test environment required 35seconds using the 18-gauge needle and 11 seconds using the 16-gaugeneedle. (Time to expel the medication was not measured using the syringeadapter, because the expel time depends on the needle used for injectingthe medication.)

In a second test (denoted “Test #2” in FIG. 15), the medication wasagain at room temperature, but the bottle of medication was now held bythe tester to eliminate time required to pick up the bottle.Accordingly, the elapsed withdrawal times in this test begin withinserting the syringe adapter into the bottle. As shown in FIG. 15,withdrawing 30 cc of Resflor Gold® in this test environment required anaverage of 5.54 seconds when using the syringe adapter, where thisaverage was computed by taking measurements 6 times and discarding atime that appeared to be an outlier. (Because slightly more than 2seconds were gained by omitting the “pick up” time of the bottle, thistest was not performed using the needles: it may be assumed that thewithdrawal times using needles in the first test would be approximately2 seconds less under the environment of this second test.)

In a third test (denoted “Test #3” in FIG. 15), the medication was nowat a temperature of approximately 38 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, havingjust been removed from refrigeration (noting that this temperature wasintended to simulate a cold weather environment in which the testedmedication might be used). The bottle of medication and syringe withaffixed syringe adapter were again held by the tester (and the elapsedtimes began with inserting the syringe adapter into the bottle), as inthe second test. As shown in FIG. 15, withdrawing 30 cc of thenow-cooler-temperature Resflor Gold® in this test environment required 3minutes 42.27 seconds using the 16-gauge needle, as compared to 1 minute1 second using the syringe adapter. Note that this third test was notconducted using the smaller 18-gauge needle, but by comparison to theresults of the first test, it can be seen that the withdrawal time usingthe smaller (i.e., 18-gauge) needle may be expected to greatly exceedthe nearly 4-minute withdrawal time for the 16-gauge needle.

As has been demonstrated, an embodiment of the present inventionimproves syringeability of higher-viscosity medications, allowing suchmedication to be withdrawn from a bottle in much less time as comparedto the known approach of withdrawal using a needle. More animals maytherefore be medicated in a given period of time, leading to improvedproductivity of persons caring for the animals as well as enablingoverall improved health for the animals. No longer will higher viscositybe a barrier to the market, and because medication of this type will bemore readily administered when using a syringe adapter as disclosedherein, improvement may be expected in animal health, and market shareand/or market presence for the medication may improve as well.

It should be noted that various features discussed herein with referenceto “an embodiment”, “one embodiment”, “a preferred embodiment”, and soforth should not be construed as suggesting that each such feature ispresent in a single embodiment, or in every embodiment, of the presentinvention. Instead, it should be understood that there may be variouscombinations of the disclosed features present in any particularembodiment.

While embodiments of the present invention have been described,additional variations and modifications in those embodiments may occurto those of ordinary skill in the art once they learn of the basicinventive concepts. Therefore, it is intended that the appended claimsshall be construed to include the described embodiments and all suchvariations and modifications as fall within the spirit and scope of theinvention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A syringe adapter for use with a syringehaving a barrel and a syringe tip, the syringe tip located at a distalend of the syringe and having a syringe tip opening in a protrusionextending distally therefrom, the syringe tip configured with aninternal threaded portion for threadably connecting a needle thereto andthe syringe tip opening providing entry into the barrel, the syringeadapter configured for withdrawing fluid medication from a containerinto the barrel and comprising: a sidewall extending between a proximalend and a distal end opposite of the proximal end, the sidewall havingan interior surface defining a chamber, the distal end of the sidewallbeing a distal end of the syringe adapter, the distal end of the syringeadapter being frustoconical in exterior shape such that the interiorsurface of the distal end of the sidewall defines a distal end of thechamber as being frustoconical, a terminal edge of the distal end of thesidewall defining a first opening into the chamber and a terminal edgeof the proximal end of the sidewall defining a second opening into thechamber, the first opening having an inner diameter of approximately0.10 inches; and a flanged area extending outwardly from the terminaledge of the proximal end of the sidewall to threadably connect thesyringe adapter to the internal threaded portion of the syringe tip andto thereby receive the protrusion into the chamber, wherein: a fluidcommunication path extends through the chamber, between the firstopening and the second opening; the distal end of the sidewall isconfigured for inserting into a container to thereby provide entry intothe fluid communication path, through the first opening, for fluidmedication to enter from the container into the chamber; and the secondopening provides an exit from the fluid communication path for the fluidmedication to exit from the chamber, through the syringe tip opening andinto the barrel of the syringe.
 2. The syringe adapter according toclaim 1, wherein a viscosity of the fluid medication is between 50centipoise units and 350 centipoise units when a temperature of thefluid medication is at least 5 degrees Celsius.
 3. The syringe adapteraccording to claim 1, wherein the sidewall is approximately 0.05 inchesin thickness at the distal end.
 4. The syringe adapter according toclaim 1, further comprising a radial extension member that extendsperpendicularly and radially outward from an exterior surface of thesidewall of the syringe adapter.
 5. The syringe adapter according toclaim 1, wherein the exterior shape of the syringe adapter is generallycylindrical for at least a portion of the proximal end.
 6. The syringeadapter according to claim 1, wherein the syringe adapter furthercomprises a multi-sided extension member that extends perpendicularlyoutward from an exterior surface of the sidewall of the syringe adapter.7. The syringe adapter according to claim 1, wherein an inner shape ofthe syringe adapter, for at least a portion of the proximal end, isgenerally conical.
 8. The syringe adapter according to claim 1, whereinan inner shape of the syringe adapter tapers from the proximal endtoward the distal end, for at least a portion of a length of theproximal end, at approximately 6 percent.
 9. The syringe adapteraccording to claim 1, wherein a length of the sidewall, from the distalend to the proximal end, is between ⅜ inch and 2 inches.
 10. The syringeadapter according to claim 1, wherein the inner diameter is at least0.094 inches.
 11. The syringe adapter according to claim 1, wherein thesyringe adapter threadably connects to the internal threaded portion ofthe syringe tip using a Luer-type lock connection.
 12. The syringeadapter according to claim 1, wherein the distal end of the sidewall isfurther configured for removably receiving, while the proximal end ofthe sidewall remains threadably connected to the internal threadedportion of the syringe tip, a proximal end of a needle with which atleast a subset of the fluid medication in the barrel can be subsequentlyinjected into a recipient.
 13. The syringe adapter according to claim12, wherein the distal end of the sidewall provides for a Luer-typeconnection with the needle.
 14. A system for syringing higher-viscosityfluid medication, comprising: a syringe, the syringe comprising a barreland a syringe tip, the syringe tip located at a distal end of thesyringe and having a syringe tip opening in a protrusion extendingdistally therefrom, the syringe tip configured with an internal threadedportion for threadably connecting a needle thereto and the syringe tipopening providing entry into the barrel; and a syringe adaptercomprising a sidewall extending between a proximal end and a distal endopposite of the proximal end, the sidewall having an interior surfacedefining a chamber, the distal end of the sidewall being a distal end ofthe syringe adapter, the distal end of the syringe adapter beingfrustoconical in exterior shape such that the interior surface of thedistal end of the sidewall defines a distal end of the chamber as beingfrustoconical, a terminal edge of the distal end of the sidewalldefining a first opening into the chamber and a terminal edge of theproximal end of the sidewall end defining a second opening into thechamber, the first opening having an inner diameter of approximately0.10 inches, wherein: a flanged area extending outwardly from theterminal edge of the proximal end of the sidewall threadably connectsthe syringe adapter to the internal threaded portion of the syringe tipand thereby receives the protrusion into the chamber through the secondopening; a fluid communication path extends through the chamber, betweenthe first opening and the second opening; the distal end of the sidewallis configured for inserting into a container to thereby provide entryinto the fluid communication path, through the first opening, for fluidmedication to enter from the container into the chamber; and the secondopening provides an exit from the fluid communication path for the fluidmedication to exit from the chamber, through the syringe tip opening andinto the barrel of the syringe.
 15. The system according to claim 14,wherein the syringe is configured as a tab-handled syringe.
 16. Thesystem according to claim 14, wherein the inner diameter is at least0.094 inches.
 17. The system according to claim 14, wherein a viscosityof the fluid medication is greater than or equal to 50 centipoise unitswhen a temperature of the fluid medication is at least 5 degreesCelsius.
 18. The system according to claim 14, further comprising aneedle, the distal end of the sidewall configured for removablyconnecting thereto a proximal end of the needle subsequent to use of thesyringe adapter for a withdrawal of the fluid medication through thechamber and into the barrel and while the proximal end of the sidewallremains threadably connected to the internal threaded portion of thesyringe tip, the needle further configured for injecting, into arecipient, at least a subset of the fluid medication withdrawn into thebarrel while the needle is removably connected to the distal end of thesidewall.
 19. The system according to claim 18, wherein the syringe isconfigured as a pistol-grip syringe to thereby improve leverage for asubsequent injection into the recipient.
 20. The system according toclaim 18, wherein a configuration of the syringe adapter enablesinjecting at least a subset of the fluid medication in the barrel intothe recipient through the needle upon activating a plunger of thesyringe to cause the at least a subset to flow from the barrel, throughthe syringe tip opening, and along the fluid communication path throughthe second opening, through the chamber, and through the first openingto reach the needle.
 21. A syringe adapter for use with a syringe havinga barrel and a syringe tip, the syringe tip located at a distal end ofthe syringe and having a syringe tip opening in a protrusion extendingdistally therefrom, the syringe tip configured with an internal threadedportion for threadably connecting a needle thereto and the syringe tipopening providing entry into the barrel, the syringe adapter configuredfor withdrawing fluid medication from a container into the barrel andcomprising: a sidewall extending between a proximal end and a distal endopposite the proximal end, the sidewall having an interior surfacedefining a chamber, the distal end of the sidewall being a distal end ofthe syringe adapter, the distal end of the syringe adapter beingfrustoconical in exterior shape such that the interior surface of thedistal end of the sidewall defines a distal end of the chamber as beingfrustoconical, a terminal edge of the distal end of the sidewalldefining a first opening into the chamber and a terminal edge of theproximal end of the sidewall defining a second opening into the chamber;and a flanged area extending outwardly from the terminal edge of theproximal end of the sidewall for threadably connecting the syringeadapter to the internal threaded portion of the syringe tip whilewithdrawing at least a portion of the fluid medication from thecontainer through the first opening and into the chamber and thenthrough the second opening and the syringe tip opening and into thebarrel of the syringe, and the distal end of the syringe adapterconfigured for inserting into the container for the withdrawal, wherein:the second opening is configured to align with the syringe tip openingwhen the flanged area threadably connects the syringe adapter to theinternal threaded portion of the syringe tip; and the first opening isapproximately 0.10 inches in inside diameter to facilitate drawing fluidmedication having a relatively high viscosity into the chamber.
 22. Thesyringe adapter according to claim 21, wherein a length of the syringeadapter, from the distal end to the proximal end, is between ⅜ inch and2 inches.
 23. The syringe adapter according to claim 21, wherein theinner diameter is at least 0.094 inches.
 24. The syringe adapteraccording to claim 21, wherein the relatively high viscosity of thefluid medication is greater than or equal to 50 centipoise units when atemperature of the fluid medication is at least 5 degrees Celsius. 25.The syringe adapter according to claim 21, wherein the distal end of thesyringe adapter is configured such that a proximal end of a needle isremovably attachable thereto while the proximal end of the sidewallremains connected to the internal threaded portion of the syringe tip.26. A syringe adapter for flowing viscous fluid medication from acontainer to a syringe, the syringe adapter comprising: a sidewall, thesidewall having a proximal end, an opposite distal end, and an interiorsurface defining an interior chamber extending from the proximal end tothe opposite distal end, the distal end of the sidewall being a distalend of the syringe adapter, the distal end of the syringe adapter beingfrustoconical in exterior shape such that the interior surface of thedistal end of the sidewall defines a distal end of the interior chamberas being frustoconical, a terminal edge of the distal end of thesidewall defining a first opening into the interior chamber and aterminal edge of the proximal end of the sidewall defining a secondopening into the interior chamber; a viscous fluid flow path extendingthrough the interior chamber, between the first opening and the secondopening, the first opening having an inner diameter of at least 0.094inches that facilitates flowing the viscous fluid medication through thefirst opening into the interior chamber from the container; and aflanged area extending outwardly from the terminal edge of the proximalend for threadably engaging a threaded interior portion of a syringe tipformed as a needle-attachment point on a distal end of the syringe,wherein the first opening having the inner diameter of at least 0.094inches facilitates withdrawing the viscous fluid medication from thecontainer into the interior chamber and flowing the viscous fluidmedication via the viscous fluid flow path through the interior chamberand out the second opening, through an opening in the syringe tip, intoa barrel of the syringe.
 27. The syringe adapter according to claim 26,wherein a length of the syringe adapter, from the distal end to theproximal end, is between ⅜ inch and 2 inches.
 28. The syringe adapteraccording to claim 26, wherein a viscosity of the viscous fluidmedication is greater than or equal to 50 centipoise units when atemperature of the viscous fluid medication is at least 5 degreesCelsius.
 29. The syringe adapter according to claim 26, wherein a shapeof the interior chamber tapers from the proximal end of the sidewalltoward the distal end of the sidewall, for at least a portion of alength of the proximal end of the sidewall, at 6 percent.